Where Watson Wishes Sherlock Was a Little More Forthcoming

The Scroll of the Dead by David Stuart Davies
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a pretty straight-forward Sherlock Holmes novel (in the "Further Adventures of..." series), and if you're like me, that's just about what you want. Not a classic, I suppose, but plenty of fun to read for a Sherlock Holmes fan.

Plot: various people are looking for an ancient Egyptian document that supposedly has the key to eternal life, and they are willing to kill to obtain it. Also, a famous archaeologist (the type who knows about ancient Egypt and its documents) has gone missing, and he is assumed to be kidnapped.

It works. Sherlock, doing his thing. Watson working with him. Guns. Secret ceremonies. Train travel. Strange people living in isolated homes full of secrets. It's all the good stuff.

Another key: in addition to crafting a good mystery, David Stuart Davies is excellent at writing in the tone and style of the original stories. If Sherlock Holmes is a comfort read for you the way he is for me, this should be just the thing. Recommended.

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